Spartan Stadium erupts and the Notre Dame band goes quiet as MSU tight end Charlie Gantt runs into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown after catching a pass from Aaron Bates in overtime on a fake field goal against Notre Dame Sept. 18, 2010.(Photo: Rod Sanford | Lansiing State Jou, Rod Sanford)

In East Lansing, “Little Giants” isn’t just a kids movie, it’s among the most famous play calls in MSU football history. With the Spartans trailing by three points in overtime, rather than kick a field goal to send the game to another overtime, Mark Dantonio called a fake. Holder Aaron Bates passed to tight end Charlie Gantt for the game-winning touchdown.

3. Sept. 23, 2000 - MSU 27, Notre Dame 21

MSU trailed 21-20 with less than two minutes to play and faced a fourth-and-10 on its own 32-yard line with a freshman quarterback under center. Jeff Smoker found Herb Haygood on a slant route over the middle and Haygood took it the rest of the 68-yards to give the Spartans the win.

4. Sept. 12, 1998 - MSU 45, Notre Dame 23

After an 0-2 start to the season, the Spartans jumped all over the Irish, scoring six touchdowns to take a 42-3 lead with more 6 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Many of those who scored those touchdowns have gone down in MSU lore, including Plaxico Burress, Sedrick Irvin and Julian Peterson.

5. Nov. 10, 1951 - MSU 35, Notre Dame 0

MSU’s series with Notre Dame, beginning in 1948, was influential in helping raise the Spartans’ profile and gain acceptance into the Big Ten. In 1951, No. 5-ranked MSU beat No. 11 Notre Dame 35-0 — in what still stands as the Spartans’ largest victory over the Irish — on the way to an undefeated season and, by some measurements, a national championship.